CWA Local 1033
Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO
CWA Local 1033 Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year from September 15 to October 15 millions of Americans celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. We would like to take the time to honor the history, culture, and civic contributions of Americans with heritage from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It began as a “Hispanic Heritage Week” in 1968, then was expanded to a month – long observance in 1988.
Certification of 2023 Election Candidates
As you all know 2023 is the year for the Election of Officers for CWA Local 1033. The term of office for all elected positions shall be three (3) years. The newly elected officers shall take office in November and sworn in at the December 2023 membership meeting. Each candidate must have signed petitions containing the requisite number of signatures to be eligible for the running of said position.
President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer need 200 valid signatures from the Local Membership. Vice President Bargaining Unit Representative Administrative/Clerical need 60, Professional and Primary-Level Supervisory need 25, Higher-Level Supervisory need 5, and Areas 1-9 need 30 valid signatures within their respective units.
If only one (1) nominating petition is submitted for a particular office and duly certified (received requisite numbers) by the Local Elections Committee, that person so nominated will be declared elected and certified the winner by the Local Elections Committee for that office. If a nominee is declared elected, ballots for that elected office will not be sent out to the Local Membership.
There are some open positions where there were no candidates for that position. The Local President can appoint someone for these positions within two months for the remainder of the term. The appointments are then presented to the Local Executive Board for approval and then the Local Membership.
Ballots will only be sent to Area 7 (Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services and Division of Pension and Benefits) Local members in good standing on October 3, 2023.
Below are the Certified Candidates that will take office in November that were duly certified by the Election Committee.
August 31, 2023 Certification of Candidates
CWA Local 1033
2023 Election of Officers
| President | ||||
| Gaye Palmer – Certified | ||||
| Executive Vice President Michele Greaves – Certified Shameko Defreitas – Not Certified | ||||
| Secretary | ||||
| Kathi Cooley – Certified Treasurer Raymond Weicker – Certified | ||||
Administrative Clerical A/C Vice President
Misty Lammons – Certified
Professionals (P) Vice President
Kimberly Deo – Certified
Primary Level Supervisory(R) Vice President Open Position
Higher Level Supervisory (S) Vice President Open Position
Area 1 Representative (Treasury/Except Taxation) Open Position
Area 2 Representative (Law & Public Safety/Excluding State Police – Public Defender) Open Position
Area 3 Representative
(Education – Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf – State Library – TB&BC – Dept. of Children & Families/Office of Education and Regional Day School)
Joyce Scott – Certified
Area 4 (Dept. of State – Dept. of Military & Veterans Affairs – Dept. of Human Services/Division of Aging)
Representative
Leslie Alvarez – Certified
Area 5 Representative (Division of Taxation)
Regina M. Jackson – Certified
Area 6 Representative (MVC) Open Position
Area 7 Representative (Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services and Division of Pensions & Benefits)
Seth Robinson – Certified
Lisa Cox – Certified
Kimberley Cook – Certified
Area 8 Representative (Banking and Insurance & the
Real Estate Commission)
Freddy Brinkman – Certified
Area 9 Representative (Division of NJ State Police (within Dept. of Law & Public Safety) and NJ State Parole Board (Not Covered by other CWA Locals)
Deborah Cole – Certified
The undersigned serves on the Elections Committee and certify the above:
Jeanette Heads, Chair
Desiree Evert
Christopher Parker
Clifford Cooper
Marzena Sample
Andrew Sampson
Trenton Thunder
Team up with CWA Local 1033
as we host
CWA LOCAL 1033
UNION APPRECIATION NIGHT
at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19th
Trenton Thunder v. Frederick Keys
Game Starts at 6:30 PM – Doors Open at 5:30 PM
Unlimited Food & Drinks from 6:00 – 7:30 PM – Reserved Group Seating – Merchandise Discounts – and Post Game Fireworks all included with your ticket.
CWA Local 1033 Members – Free
Guests Over Age 3 – $15.00
Maximum of 4 Guests per Member – Any Child utilizing a seat must have a ticket.
We are down to a limited number of tickets that are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in attending, please stop by Local 1033 Headquarters to receive your free member ticket and purchase additional tickets if necessary.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL JOY YOUNG AT THE LOCAL 1033 AT 609-394-7725
Notice of Elections for Officers
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Members of CWA Local 1033,
this is the 2023 NOTICE OF ELECTIONS for OFFICERS . Please Read Announcement carefully. Ballots will be mailed to the last known home address that we have on file. We are asking all members to call the local at 609-394-7725 to update your current home address starting 7/24/2023.
Thank you Kindly,
Election Committee Coordinator,
Jeanette Heads – CWA Local 1033 Employee (AA2)
Election Committee Members:
Christopher Parker – Dept. of Ed
Clifford Cooper – Dept. of Banking and Insurance
Andrew Sampson – Dept. of Ed
Marzena Sample – Div. of Taxation
Desire Evert – NJ State Police
2023 NOTICE OF ELECTION for OFFICERS
The 2023 Election of Officers will be conducted by Local 1033’s Elections Committee pursuant to the CWA Constitution – Article XV, Local 1033 By-Laws Article 14, and the CWA Local 1033 Election Rules and Procedures. Members who have signed cards but are currently not working, who have paid dues a minimum of 3 months in the 12 months preceding any announced election, and who have not severed their connection with their employer, (except by means of retirement) shall be eligible to vote in said election, pursuant to CWA Local 1033 By Laws, Section 3 E. – General Provisions, pg.14.
Offices include President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Bargaining Unit Vice President’s for the Administrative/Clerical, Professional, Primary and Higher Level Supervisory Units, and Area Representatives forArea 1– Treasury, Area 2 – Law & Public Safety and Public Defender, Area 3 – Education, the Katzenbach School for the Deaf, Thomas Edison State College Library, Talking Book and Braille Center, and Department of Children & Families Office of Education and the Regional Day School, Area 4 – Department of State, Department of Human Services Division of Aging, and Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Area 5 – Taxation, Area 6 – Motor Vehicle, Area 7 – Dept. of Revenue and Enterprise Services; and Pensions, Area 8 – Department of Banking and Insurance & Real Estate Commission, and Area 9 – New Jersey State Police within L&PS and NJ State Parole Board (not covered by other CWA Locals).
CWA Local 1033 members in good standing who have been paying full dues consecutively for at least nine (9) months of the twelve (12) months prior to the date of an election announcement shall be eligible to hold an elective office, pursuant to the CWA Local 1033 By Laws, Section 3 B. – General Provisions, pg.13. The twelve-month (12) calendar effective date starts as of October 24, 2022. Each nominee must obtain the requisite number of signatures to be a candidate on the ballot. Members wishing to run for office may pick up Nominating Petitions, materials and instructions starting Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. Nominating Petitions must be returned no later than Thursday, August 31, 2023. Please call the Local at 609-394-7725 for Jeanette, to arrange a time to pick up your packet.
Ballots for the Election will be mailed Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Ballots MUST BE RECEIVED (Not Postmarked) by 5pm on Friday, October 27, 2023, to the PO Box return address listed on return envelope for ballot. The Election Vender will be by Election America (DBA) YES Elections, 155 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501 on Monday, October 2023.
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR HOME ADDRESS Approved by the Elections Committee July 24, 2023
CWA LOCAL 1033 ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
321 West State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08618
CWA NJ Bargaining Update
NJ STATE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
BARGAINING UPDATE
June 27, 2023
One day longer, One day stronger
Our CWA Bargaining Team has continued to meet with the State to try to reach a tentative agreement before our current contract expiration of June 30th. CWA has met with the State for 20 sessions, including several sessions throughout late May and early June.
As we know, our current contract remains in full force if we do not have a new ratified agreement before that date, but our goal has been to reach settlement by that date if possible.
We are writing to say we will need more time to get to a complete package that our Bargaining Team would recommend to members. From day one, CWA committed that we are not done with bargaining until we address every issue which members indicated is a priority in the best way possible. We are not there yet. We know that we can do better than what the State is offering, and we will continue negotiating until we have a contract that adequately addresses the needs of our members.
CWA made large and comprehensive demands over wages, telework, and other important issues. We took strong positions, and we are sticking to them. Our members set clear priorities for this contract: significant wage growth that breaks away from the patterns of the past eight years, protect the telework program and ensure that the program is equitable and enforceable, and protect against unaffordable and rapid healthcare increases. We are also trying to improve on prior contract language in areas like layoffs and privatization that protect us in the future. In addition, we are looking to ensure that promotional opportunities are available to our members and are not handed out to political appointees, bypassing civil service procedures.
Here is the status of the highest priority issues:
- Salary and Wages: We have made progress on modernizing the step system and creating growth, but we are looking to make more progress. Across the board increases are also still a sticking point. CWA made strong demands in these areas, and we have more work to do to reach a final salary package.
- Healthcare: We have made progress to protect the Unity PPO plan and contain costs. Our current contract contains a process to reopen negotiations if future premiums increase by a certain amount. This type of reopener clause remains under discussion for our next contract. Again, healthcare is part of a final package, so our work isn’t finished on these issues.
- Telework and Civil Service Issues: We must secure a process to deal with telework during the period that civil service regulations are created for a permanent program. We also must secure a quick and fair process to deal with disputes that arise on an ongoing basis. The State wants to retain as much control over telework as possible, so we are in intense discussions over how to resolve our issues as part of a final contract.
CWA Strong! Member mobilization has strengthened negotiations this far. We still have more work to do.
As a recap, here is the timeline of negotiations so far:
- Fall 2022 – Commenced bargaining preparation, which included surveying members on your priorities for these negotiations.
- February 16 – First bargaining session.
- March through April – Solidarity Days every Thursday to support negotiations.
- April 26 – “Fair Contract” Petition with 10,000 signatures delivered to Governor’s Office by over 300 CWA members.
- May – Solidarity Days continue.
- May 31 – Worksite Picketing at over a dozen locations with thousands of CWA members.
- 20 sessions with the State so far… and counting.
CWA members know that contract negotiations go as long as it takes to reach a quality final package. We know our members are eager to know more details, so please stay in touch with your Local for membership meeting dates and communications.
The CWA Bargaining Team cannot win the contract we need without your support. If we are unable to make sufficient progress at the bargaining table, we will be asking for your help in demonstrating to the State that we are united behind our demands for a fair contract.
IN SOLIDARITY!
CWA Bargaining Committee
CWA COVID 2020 Emergency Agreement
UPDATE: 6/30/20:
Guidance for Furloughed NJ State Workers Represented by CWA
CWA Tips for furloughed state workers filing for unemployment insurance
Update: 6/27/20: The Job Security MOA was overwhelmingly ratified.
13595 yes
1318 no
14913 total
CWA Local 1033 & The Education and Equity Committee Honors and Celebrates Black History Month
Who made Black History Month?
Carter G. Woodson, known to many as the “Father of Black History” came up with the concept of “Negro History Week” in 1926, intended to “both create and popularize the knowledge about the Black past.”
Woodson, whose parents were enslaved, grew up to be an author, historian and the second African American to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard University.
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people—especially women—are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. This Heart Month, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) is encouraging women to listen to their hearts and speak up for their health.
February: Did you know union facts?
Feb. 5, 1993: President Bill Clinton signs the Family and Medical Leave Act, which requires most employers of 50 or more workers to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a family or medical emergency.
Feb. 6, 1910: Philadelphia shirtwaist makers vote to accept arbitration offer and end walkout, effectively ending the Triangle Shirtwaist strike.
Feb. 7, 1894: Mine owners in Cripple Creek, Colorado cut wages from $3 to $2.50 a day, leading union miners to begin a five-month strike that ends in victory. In an unprecedented move, the governor calls out the state militia to protect the strikers from the owners.
Feb. 13, 2008: Hollywood writers return to work at the end of a 100-day strike that shut down more than 60 television shows. The new contract gives Writers Guild of America members residual payments for programs streamed online and formalizes union jurisdiction over Web programming.
Feb. 14, 1903: The Western Federation of Miners begin a strike for an 8-hour working day.
Feb. 14, 1903: President Theodore Roosevelt signs a law creating the Department of Commerce and Labor.
Feb. 16, 2011: Public schools in Madison close after teachers call in sick to protest Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s bill that would strip the state’s 175,000 public employees of their collective bargaining rights.
Feb. 23, 1864: Kate Mullany, a 19-year-old Irish immigrant, leads members of the all-female Collar Laundry Union in a successful strike in Troy, New York, for increased wages and improved working conditions.
Feb. 26, 2004: United Food & Commercial Workers reach an agreement with employers to end the nearly five-month-long grocery strike and lockout of 59,000 workers in Southern California, fueled by management’s demand to strip workers of healthcare benefits. The new two-tier contract requires employees to pay for healthcare benefits for the first time, includes no raises, pays new hires less and puts them in a different healthcare plan.
Education & Equity: Did you know facts for January?
January 10, 1860: The Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts collapses, trapping 900 workers, mostly Irish women. More than 100 die, scores more injured in the collapse and ensuing fire. The cause of the collapse: too much machinery had been crammed into the building.
January 11, 1912: Female textile workers from Poland working in Lawrence, Massachusetts mills begin the IWW-organized “Bread & Roses” strike after collecting their pay, exclaiming that they had been cheated, and abandoning their looms. The strike, which involved 32,000 women and children, lasted 10 weeks and ended in victory.
January 17, 1962: President John F. Kennedy signs Executive Order 10988, which guarantees federal workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively.
January 20, 1986: First observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., federal holiday.
January 27, 1734: New York City maids organize to improve working conditions.
January 29, 1889: Six thousand railway workers strike for a union and the end of 18-hour day.
January 29, 2009: President Barack Obama signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, making it easier for women and minorities to win pay discrimination suits.
Snow Days and Teleworking
There seems to be some confusion about the directive today with the State closure. The following should help clarify the requirements:
If you are scheduled to telework today, you are required to perform your duties remotely.
If you are designated weather essential, you are required to report to work.
All others are to stay home and are not required to perform any work duties.
Be safe and have a good weekend.
CWA National News
- CWA Stands with Students, Journalists, and Workers and Condemns Attacks on Free Speech May 1, 2024
- By Failing to Fund the Affordable Connectivity Program, Congress Puts Broadband Access and Jobs at Risk April 30, 2024
- AT&T Workers Authorize Strike April 25, 2024
- 2024 Workers Memorial Day: Good Jobs Safe Jobs. Protect Our Rights. April 25, 2024
- After 18 Months on Strike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strikers Find Hope for Injunctive Relief April 25, 2024
- NABET-CWA Scores Impressive Organizing Hat Trick April 25, 2024
- CWA District 3 Prepares for AT&T Southeast Showdown April 25, 2024
- NewsGuild-CWA Achieves Historic Legislative Win April 25, 2024
- CWAers Undergo Health and Safety Training April 25, 2024
- Apple Store Workers Win ULP Fight April 25, 2024